What Would I Do?

Bus Drivers operate diesel, compressed natural gas (CNG), or electric vehicles which provide transportation for people either within or between cities. They drive buses for local transit systems, intercity bus companies, and tour bus companies. Bus Drivers pick up and drop off passengers at bus stops or stations, according to strict time schedules. Regardless of traffic conditions, Drivers must not get ahead of schedule because it may cause them to miss passengers. Drivers must operate vehicles safely, sometimes in heavy traffic. Bus Drivers work with a range of vehicles from 15-passenger buses to 60-foot articulated buses that can carry more than 100 passengers.

All Bus Drivers keep records, such as travel distance, driving time, and total amount of fares received. They also report any mechanical problems or needed repairs, keep the bus clean, and make minor repairs while on the road.

Local Transit Bus Drivers transport passengers along scheduled routes, usually within an urban area. They collect and hand out transfers, keep an eye on the cash box for correct fare, provide change for passengers, and verify that bus passes are valid. Drivers may call out names of major streets along their route or announce stops, answer questions regarding routes, schedules, transfer points, and fares.

Intercity Bus Drivers transport passengers between cities and States. They relate schedules, routes, fares, and other information concerning the trips. Drivers also pick up and drop off packages, load and unload baggage, and collect cash fares from passengers.

Charter Bus Drivers take a group of passengers to their destination. They remain at the location until the group is ready to return. These Drivers routinely interact with customers and tour guides to make the trip as comfortable and informative as possible. They may travel long distances for several days at a time, which may require overnight stays.

Shuttle Bus Drivers operate buses of various sizes between set destinations. Possible destinations include passengers' homes, health clinics, adult day care centers, hotels, fairgrounds, airport terminals, and parking lots. They follow and keep to time schedules and route assignments. Shuttle Bus Drivers make sure passengers have seat belts fastened properly and wheelchairs are secured to restraining devices. They lift luggage and personal belongings to and from the bus to help passengers. Drivers use hydraulic lifts and their own strength to help clients on and off the bus and into buildings.

Shuttle Bus Drivers collect fares and keep a daily log of passengers they assist. They perform routine mechanical checks on the vehicle, such as checking the brakes, windshield wipers, and hydraulic lifts as well as add gasoline or oil regularly. Drivers use radio devices or cellular phones to report interruption of service or request medical help. They may also help with other duties such as custodial and building maintenance.

Important Tasks and Related Skills

Each task below is matched to a sample skill required to carry out the task.

Skill Definitions

Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.

Transportation

Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits.

Depth Perception

The ability to judge which of several objects is closer or farther away from you, or to judge the distance between you and an object.

Customer and Personal Service

Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

Speech Clarity

The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.

Public Safety and Security

Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.

Control Precision

The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.

Working Conditions

Current laws limit driving time to a maximum of ten consecutive hours. However, this is only after eight consecutive hours off-duty. Drivers who work a ten-hour shift may experience fatigue, particularly when driving in poor conditions. All Bus Drivers can be subject to occasional stress caused by disagreeable or disorderly passengers. Also, they may experience stress from long hours of driving combined with factors such as bad weather, heavy traffic conditions, time schedule commitments, and delays. Local Transit Drivers may also be subject to robberies and injuries from physical attacks.

Work schedules vary among Drivers. Intercity Bus and Transit Drivers may work nights, weekends, and holidays. Drivers with the most seniority may have regular routes and regular weekly work schedules, but other Drivers with less seniority may not have regular schedules and must be prepared to report to work on short notice. Local Transit Bus Drivers have a five-day workweek, including Saturdays and Sundays.

Many Intercity and Local Transit Bus Drivers are members of the Amalgamated Transit Union, Transport Workers Union of America, United Transportation Union, or the International Brotherhood of Teamsters.

Will This Job Fit Me?

The job of Bus Driver may appeal to those who enjoy occupations involving practical, hands-on problems and solutions, and do not involve a lot of paperwork. This occupation also involves helping or providing service to others.

What Wages and Benefits Can I Expect?

Wages

The median wage in 2016 for Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity in California is $41,208 annually, or $19.81 hourly. The median wage for Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity in San Diego County is $30,103 annually, or $14.48 hourly. The median is the point at which half of the workers earn more and half earn less.

Benefits

Bus Drivers may expect to receive health and life insurance, sick leave, vacation, and pension plans. As an additional benefit, free transit passes may be given to all employees and their dependents.

What Do Local Employers Say About Benefits? Of the 17 employers in San Diego County, most provide medical insurance, and many provide dental insurance, vacation, life insurance, and vision insurance benefits to Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity who work full-time.

Percent of Employers Who ProvideSpecific Benefits by Time Base

Benefit Type

Full-Time

Part-Time

Medical Insurance

65%

6%

Dental Insurance

59%

6%

Vacation

47%

6%

Life Insurance

41%

6%

Vision Insurance

41%

6%

Retirement Plan

29%

18%

Sick Leave

24%

6%

No benefits

18%

53%

Paid Time Off Bank

12%

0%

Disability Insurance

12%

6%

Source: EDD/LMID Local Occupational Information Survey.

Of the 12 employers surveyed who responded in San Diego County, who provides medical benefits, most reported that they pay half or more of the cost of medical insurance for full-time, and all reported that they pay half or more of the cost of medical insurance for part-time Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity.

Percent of Employers Who Paid Medical Insurance by Portion Paid by Time Base

Portion Paid by Employer:

Full-Time

Part-Time

All

0%

0%

Half or more

73%

100%

Less than Half

27%

0%

None

0%

0%

Source: EDD/LMID Local Occupational Information Survey.

What is the Job Outlook?

Currently, public transportation is seen as an environmentally friendly alternative to driving. Many State and local governments have increased funding for public transportation. This trend is expected to continue, and it may lead to increased employment of Transit Bus Drivers. Full-time Bus Drivers rarely are laid off during recessions, but competition for jobs increases significantly during periods of high unemployment. Also, public transportation depends on State and local government funding, therefore, during times of economic downturns, there are fewer employment opportunities.

Projections of Employment

In California, the number of Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity is expected to grow slower than average growth rate for all occupations. Jobs for Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity are expected to increase by 12.5 percent, or 2,800 jobs between 2014 and 2024.

In San Diego County, the number of Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity is expected to grow at an average rate compared with the total for all occupations. Jobs for Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity are expected to increase by 19.1 percent, or 370 jobs between 2012 and 2022.

Annual Job Openings

In California, an average of 280 new job openings per year is expected for Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity, plus an additional 290 job openings due to net replacement needs, resulting in a total of 570 job openings.

In San Diego County, an average of 37 new job openings per year is expected for Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity, plus an additional 36 job openings due to net replacement needs, resulting in a total of 73 job openings.

How Do I Qualify?

Education, Training, and Other Requirements

Many employers prefer to hire individuals with a high school diploma (or equivalent) and a clean driving record. A written test may also be required to assess the applicant's ability to read and follow bus schedules. Completion of a company sponsored bus driver training program is usually required. Most intercity and local transit bus companies provide their driver trainees two to eight weeks of classroom and behind-the-wheel instruction. Some employers may require fingerprinting. Pre-employment drug screening and random drug and alcohol testing are required by the U.S. Department of Transportation. The minimum age for a Bus Driver is 18 to drive within the State and at least 21 to drive a bus across State lines.

Experience

Some employers may require several years of experience driving a bus or truck.

Early Career Planning

High school preparation courses in general mathematics, language arts, social sciences, auto shop, and driver education and training courses provide a helpful background for those interested in bus driving careers.

Licensing and Certification

Transit, Intercity, Tour, and Shuttle Bus Drivers in vehicles that carry more than ten passengers must get a California Commercial Class B driver license with airbrake and passenger endorsements. Requirements for this license are listed in the Commercial Driver Handbook, obtainable at any California Department of Motor Vehicles office.

To qualify for the required Commercial Class B license with airbrake and passenger endorsements, applicants must also submit an approved medical form completed by a U.S. licensed physician. A medical exam is required every two years.

A Verification of Transit Training Document is required for Transit Bus Drivers. This certification shows that the Bus Driver has fulfilled the specified training requirements. For more information, go to the U.S. Department of Labor's Career InfoNet Web site and scroll down to "Career Tools." Click on "Certification Finder" and follow the instructions to locate certification programs.

Where Can I Find Training?

There are two ways to search for training information:

Search by Field of Study to find what programs are available and what schools offer those programs. You may use keywords such as: Bus Driver, Commercial Vehicle Operation, and Truck and Bus Driver.

What Employers Say...

The Employment Development Department surveyed 17 employers in San Diego County which employ 1,597 Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity. Here's what they had to say:

About Full-Time/Part-Time: Almost All of these firms employ full-time and most employ part-time Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity.

About Work Experience: Of the 17 employers surveyed in San Diego County, many require new hires to have prior work experience as Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity. In the table below, percentages may not add to 100% since employers may select more than one time period.

How Much Work ExperienceDo Employers Require?

More than 5 years

0%

25 to 60 months

57%

13 to 24 months

29%

1 to 12 months

14%

Source: EDD/LMID Local Occupational Information Survey.

About Recruitment: Of the 17 employers surveyed in San Diego County, most indicate it is moderately difficult to find applicants with experience who meet their minimum hiring requirements, while many indicate it is easy to find applicants without previous experience who meet their minimum hiring requirements to fill vacancies for Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity.

About Hiring: Of the 17 employers surveyed in San Diego County, almost all expect the number of Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity they employ to remain stable during the coming year.

Hiring Expectations

Expect Employment to Increase

18%

Expect Employment to Remain Stable

82%

Expect Employment to Decline

0%

Source: EDD/LMID Local Occupational Information Survey.

About Vacancies: Of the 17 employers surveyed in San Diego County, 76 percent hired Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity during the past year. Of the hiring firms, 100 percent filled existing vacancies, 8 percent filled newly created positions, and none filled temporary assignments.

Finding a Job

Direct application to employers is one of the most effective job search methods. Jobs may also be found through classified advertisements in newspapers and online job boards. Online job opening systems include JobCentral at www.jobcentral.com and CalJOBSSM at www.caljobs.ca.gov.

Yellow Page Headings

You can focus your local job search by checking employers listed online or in your local telephone directory. Below are some suggested headings where you might find employers of Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity.

Bus Charters and Rentals

Bus Driver

Bus Lines

Bus Tours - Promoters

Find Possible Employers

To locate a list of employers in your area, go to "Find Employers" on the Labor Market Information Web site:

Select one of the top industries that employ the occupation. This will give you a list of employers in that industry in your area.

Click on an employer for the street address, telephone number, size of business, Web site, etc.

Contact the employer for possible employment.

Where Could This Job Lead?

Bus Drivers with seniority may receive higher wages, compete for a preferred route, or choose better work hours. Opportunities for promotion are generally limited. Some experienced Bus Drivers may become supervisors, dispatchers, instructors, or superintendents.

Related Occupations

Below is a list of occupations related to Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity with links to more information.

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